The Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), on Tuesday directed Solicitor General Jose Calida and The Manila Times reporter Jomar Canlas to explain why they should not be cited for contempt for their actions in the poll protest case filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The tribunal issued the show-cause order during an en banc session on Tuesday.
The PET did not give the reason for the issuance of the show cause order but sources said it was because of the petition filed by Calida asking Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to recuse himself from the poll case. Leonen was named the ponente of the case.
Canlas, meanwhile, was included in the order because of the stories he wrote based on leaked draft resolutions involving the case.
Marcos and Calida quoted the Canlas’ stories in The Manila Times in their petitions for inhibition.
“In the exclusive two-part banner headline, The Manila Times, through Jomar Canlas, reported on October 12 and October 13, 2020 the alleged prejudgment of Justice Leonen,” the OSG said, referring to the Times’ expose on the reflections of Leonen circulated on July 10, 2017 where he reportedly prejudged the case.
Leonen wanted to dismiss the protest filed by Marcos.
On Tuesday, he also refused to inhibit himself from the case.